Earning Your Wings with Swami Iyer at Virgin Galactic

Earning Your Wings with Swami Iyer at Virgin Galactic

Author: Sanjay Puri May 25, 2023 Duration: 33:43

With a strong work ethic and a supportive community, Indian Americans can successfully achieve greatness in all industries.


On this inaugural episode, I’m joined by Swami Iyer, former President of Aerospace Systems at Virgin Galactic. He shares with me how his determination, cultivated through a childhood of scarcity, allowed him to pursue a career in which he is quite literally reaching for the stars.


We discuss:


- As a minority in America, Swami often felt he had to be better, just to be considered equal.

- As Indian immigrants, Swami’s parents demonstrated a work ethic that he sought to emulate throughout his career.

- How a sense of optimism is a powerful tool in overcoming adversity.

- Maintaining connectedness to his Indian roots has allowed Swami to appreciate the values that were instilled in him.


To Swami, Indianness is a mix of hard work, acceptance of diversity and creativity, and he tries to embody these values in his work every day.



Swami Iyer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/swamibiyer/

Virgin Galactic - https://www.linkedin.com/company/virgin-galactic/

Virgin Galactic |Website - https://www.virgingalactic.com/

Sanjay Puri - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjaykpuri/

Alliance for US India Business - http://ausib.org/





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Hosted by Sanjay Puri, The Indianness Podcast creates a space for nuanced conversation with Indian and Indian-American leaders who are shaping industries. This isn't about generic success stories; it's a deep exploration of the specific journeys, cultural insights, and strategic decisions that define high achievement across business, entrepreneurship, and professional careers. Each episode features candid discussions with founders, executives, and innovators from diverse sectors like healthcare, education, and public service. You'll hear firsthand about the challenges of scaling a venture, the realities of navigating corporate leadership, and the personal philosophies that guide these individuals. The focus is on practical wisdom and authentic reflection, offering listeners more than inspiration-it provides a real-world look at the resilience and adaptability required to excel. By sharing these varied narratives, the podcast aims to illuminate the many paths to impact and leadership. Tune in for a series of thoughtful dialogues that connect cultural heritage with global ambition, all through the unfiltered voices of those who are building, creating, and leading today.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 62

The Indianness Podcast | Insights from Indian Business Leaders, Indian Founders & High-Performing Indian Americans
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